All You Need To Know About Camping In Gwynedd
The main places to visit on a camping break in Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a largely rural county with one city and a few small towns. The landscape of Gwynedd is best known for its mountains, beaches and islands. As it’s a compact place, camping in Gwynedd means you’re never far from lots of great things to do and see.
Bangor
Bangor is a well-known seaside resort, thanks in part to a rather famous pop song from the 1980s. The tune may not have stood the test of time, but the oldest city in Wales certainly has. Bangor traces its roots back to the 6th century when a monastery was established on what is now the site of the city’s cathedral. The Bishop’s Palace sits beneath the shadow of the cathedral and is now a museum and art gallery. No visit to Bangor would be complete without a stroll along its Victorian pier with fish and chips by the mile-long sandy beach.
Take a look at campsites near the sea in and around Bangor.
Caernarfon
Home to perhaps the most famous castle in Wales, Caernarfon is a busy port on the coast of the Irish Sea. Sit on the beach and take in views over the Menai Strait before exploring the old town walls or taking a 25-mile journey by steam train to the foot of Snowdonia’s mountains
Book your stay at a campsite near Caernarfon.
Porthmadog
Once you’ve arrived at Porthmadog, a visit to the town’s railway museum is a must. There’s also the Porthmadog Maritime Museum that notes this historic port’s past as a shipbuilding hub and role in exporting slate from local quarries all around the world. The Cob is perhaps Porthmadog best known landmark. This mile-long embankment was built so travellers, both on foot and by rail, could safely cross the Glaslyn Estuary.
Pick your pitch at a holiday park near Porthmadog.
Barmouth
Barmouth, with its bay and white sandy beach, is another popular seaside resort in Gwynedd. The beach at Barmouth is huge, even at high tide, and the waters are quite shallow for some way, making it a great place for paddling. The Mawddach estuary at Barmouth, which runs eight miles inland, was described by William Wordsworth as ‘sublime’, and the town has a rather lovely microclimate that means it’s warmer and somewhat drier than the rest of Wales.
Book your break at a campsite in Barmouth.
Bala
The market town of Bala sits on the banks of Bala Lake and is a traditional place, so you may need to brush up on your Welsh greetings. The largest natural lake in Wales draws watersports enthusiasts, so don your lifejacket for a spot of kayaking or yachting. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, the waters are also popular with anglers and walkers rambling along the trails that run along the banks and into the mountains beyond. While you’re here, learn about Mary Jones, the farm girl who in 1800 walked 25 miles in bare feet to buy a copy of the Welsh Bible and inspired the Bible Society movement.
If you’re ready to book your spot, take a look at campsites near Bala.
Pwllheli
The principal town on the Llŷn Peninsula, Pwllheli is renowned for its beach, marina and world class sailing. The Welsh National Sailing Academy is located at Plas Heli off the marina, where yachting folk can head into the Irish Sea and on to Cardigan Bay. There’s also the Glasfryn Parc Activity Centre, with loads of indoor and outdoor activities to have a go at including clay pigeon shooting, go-karting, crazy golf and wakeboarding. On top of that, the centre has a 10-pin bowling alley and soft play area for those rainy days.
If the Llŷn Peninsula ticks your holiday boxes, browse campsites near Pwllheli.
Criccieth
A 20-minute drive along theLlŷn Peninsula is the small town of Criccieth with its coastal castle. Criccieth is also home to the well-known Cadwalader's ice cream parlour and hosts two annual fairs in May and June. The Dragon Raiders Activity Park is a short way inland from Criccieth near the grave of former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, who grew up in the nearby village of Llanystumdwy.
There’s plenty of great campsites to choose from near Criccieth.
As you may have noticed, the coastline of this part of North Wales has loads of fabulous beaches to visit. Check out the best of them in our guide to the must-visit beaches of Gwynedd.
Hiking in Gwynedd
If not heading for the coast, most people visit Gwynedd to take in and hike up the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. Two of the mountains that make up the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge are to be conquered in Gwynedd – Snowdon and Cader Idris. Mount Snowdon is the stuff of mountaineering folklore, being the second highest peak in England and Wales. Cader Idris is at the southern tip of the National Park near Dolgellau. The mountain has some stunning lakes, said to be bottomless according to local legend.
There are many other spectacular peaks to scale in Gwynedd, some challenging and others less so for the casual hiker. Glyder Fawr, Carnedd Dafydd and Crib Goch are popular steep scrambles. The three tops of Y Lliwedd – Lliwedd Bach, the East Peak and West Peak – are challenging too, as are Carnedd Llewelyn, Moel Hebog and the ‘Welsh Matterhorn’, Cnicht. Easier hill walks can be had on Mynydd y Twr, Moel y Dyniewyd and Moel Famau.
Whatever your ability and hiking ambition, we’ve compiled some of our favourite walks in Gwynedd in this guide covering mountain climbs, coastal paths and countryside rambles.
Where to camp in Gwynedd and Snowdonia
If you’re combining a hiking trip with a camping holiday, you can wild camp in Snowdonia – but only with permission from the landowner. More information about wild camping etiquette can be found on the Snowdonia National Park Authority’s website.
The three valleys west of the Carneddau mountain range – Cwm Caseg, Cwm Ffrydlas and Cwm Llafar – are popular places for wild camping, being somewhat sheltered, as are spots near Porth lago on the Llŷn Peninsula.
For a nearly-wild camping experience though, we’ve got you covered with campsites that have wild camping fields in Gwynedd.
If a few home comforts are required, there are plenty of great campsites for camping, glamping, caravanning or staying in a lodge in Gwynedd. Check out our complete listings of sites and holiday parks in Gwynedd here. Select your filters for sites that allow camp fires, welcome dogs, have a clubhouse or play areas for the kids.
Public transport in Gwynedd
Leaving the car at home? It’s possible to take a break in Gwynedd and travel around by bus, train, taxi and bike.
Taking the train is probably the easiest public transport option if you’re planning on going away with your bike. Gwynedd is well-served by both the Conwy Valley Line – which runs from Conwy in the north to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the south via popular Snowdonia towns like Betws-y-Coed – and the Cambrian Line, part of which runs along the Cardigan Bay coast from Pwllheli to Aberystwyth.
Once you’ve picked your pitch and are pondering your day out destination, take a look at our run-down of the best things to do in Gwynedd.